লোকসংস্কৃতিতে সপ্তাহের বার ও লোকবিশ্বাস : সাহিত্য ও মানব সমাজে প্রভাব ও তাৎপর্য / Days of the week and folk beliefs in folk culture: influence and significance in literature and human society

Abstract

Folk culture is an important foundation of human society, shaping lifestyles, rituals, and beliefs. In Bengali as well as in broader Indian society, various folk beliefs and practices have developed around the different days of the week— Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. These beliefs deeply influence people's daily lives, social customs, religious rituals, and decision-making processes. The notions of performing auspicious or inauspicious activities on specific days, observing fasts, worshipping particular deities, or following certain rules and prohibitions before starting a journey are integral parts of folk culture, passed down from generation to generation.

          This paper analyzes the origins of various beliefs, rituals, and customs associated with the days of the week in Bengali culture and examines their social and cultural significance. It also discusses how these beliefs contribute to shaping human psychology, strengthening social unity, and maintaining cultural continuity. Various studies have shown that folk beliefs related to the days of the week are not limited only to religious sentiments; rather, they also reflect the values, traditions, and philosophy of life within society.